Tags
2014, Colorado, Fractured Hearts, moving, new beginnings, Oregon, Sacramento
Once upon a time I moved to California for a new job, and truthfully, a new life. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Portland, Oregon. It’s actually a gorgeous city full of great restaurants and bars with the most ambiance I have ever known restaurants and bars to have. And then there’s the waterfront setting – as beautiful as it gets.
But I needed a change.
Although Dennis is the love of my life and the narcissist in me believes God created him solely to be my soul mate, we were experiencing rough waters like all marriages will at one time or another. Of course, soul mates are destined to reunite, and so we ended up once again blissfully cohabiting.
I must admit the short separation brought some much needed appreciation for one another back to the marriage. Ever since then it has been a decade filled with new places and faces, opportunities and challenges. All in all I’d say it’s been anything but boring.
I have made some lifetime friends here and reached some personal achievement milestones, with finding a publishing home and becoming a novelist. Reflection about California Dreamin’ is bittersweet to say the least, but it has certainly been worth the ride. Whether smooth sailing or rough waters, we have weathered it all.
And now our ship is setting sail for new seas.
We are Colorado bound in just a few short weeks, and couldn’t be happier about the news which has been incessantly prayed about, discussed, wished, and wanted. Dennis has accepted a Director of Marketing position with Trans Aero Ltd. in the Fort Collins/Loveland area.
We plan to live in Fort Collins where I will teach at the University of Phoenix. I am thrilled beyond words (odd for a writer, I know). Ironically, when first married we planned to live in this exact location, but of course, fate has a way of playing its own hand and for us that was a side trip to Eugene, Oregon where Dennis got a job after graduating college. I transferred to the University of Oregon and we stayed to raise our family there, moving to Portland after they left home.
So, here we are full circle, poised to begin the adventure we had originally planned for ourselves. Writers dream of new plot twists. Nothing sparks creativity like discovering all there is to know about a new city, making memories in a new home, developing new friendships, getting involved with a new community and communing with new wonders of nature.
Ever since the New Year everything seems to have magically changed, not unlike a Disney film. Our careers of passion and preference are looking up for both of us. My publicist is off and running with a marketing plan for my books, while my husband is once again in his happy zone of marketing helicopter service to federal, state and private companies. I can only hope that every month of this New Year will be as significant in a good way.
Well played, January 2014, well played!
Thank you to those friends out there who have stuck with us through thick and thin, and have been rooting for us to dig our way out of the sunken economy we fell into. Of course I plan to visit this area a couple times a year to meet with my publisher, and to hold book signings in this community where I have built a presence, albeit a small and humble one.
Email and FB will keep us connected with those we care about between visits, and I truly hope everyone who has said they will come see us – will. The Rocky Mountains, afterall, will be in our backyard. That should thrill you with new terrain to hike and ways to be inspired while we catch up on our lives and reminisce about old times.
It is going to be a whirlwind next few months to be sure, what with moving, Dennis beginning a new job, me teaching that first creative writing course at the University of Phoenix in Fort Collins, and my short story collection Fractured Hearts being launched. How exciting is all of that?
I am grateful beyond words for the opportunities now forming for our future. God is indeed good, and although we have been greatly blessed even prior to these new developments, knowing our persistence and faith in God has gotten us through some difficult times of late makes us confident that we can meet any new challenges looming before us in Colorado.
Among our first challenges, without a doubt, will be experiencing less than 70 degree weather on a near daily basis in the dead of winter (something we have begun to take for granted and that will now end abruptly), trying to find a church that will energize and inspire us as much as Bayside in Granite Bay has done, and missing every one of you that we count among our dearest friends.
Mainly, this writer is hoping they have some inviting coffee houses in Fort Collins. Everything else can be worked out, with latte in hand.
Kathryn, I’m thrilled for you and Dennis–that this opportunity has come through for him and that you’ll both have a new adventure! I pray your new home will be truly blessed–with friends, experiences and great joy.
Thank you Jennifer. I look forward to reading your blog posts as if I were still here. :))
Great read and Good luck on your new adventure. We’re booking flights to Denver next week! Can’t wait to check out your new digs.
We can’t wait to see you, and keeping Raegan a few days will be a special bonus. 🙂
Congrats on your move, Kathryn. Colorado is such a beautiful state; I know you and your family will love it there. Please keep me posted when you come back to California for book signings, etc. It will be wonderful to catch up and hear how the rocky mountain state is treating you. 🙂 Best wishes for 2014!
Sent from my iPhone
>
Thank you Paris! I will keep you posted on book signings I return for and look forward to seeing you (hopefully) on the 8th before I leave.
Now you got me crying… It’s real. I’m so happy that you too/two will be climbing steadily out of the hole the “new economy” had put you in. But I’m also sad you will not be a text msg away from meeting for tea. It will indeed be wonderful to see what adventure God has you on next. ❤
Thanks Chris. You and Bob have to come and hike the Rockies with us. We owe you a few dinners and need to repay your hospitality. Our spare bedroom will be waiting for you!
Wow, Kathryn, big move! I wish you the very best as you relocate. Loved this post, about your journeys and moves and about finally making it to the destination you thought you would be at long before this.
Thank you Stacy! I love watching these last stages of your beautiful book unfolding toward publication via FB posts. I am so excited for what the new year has in store for you, too!
God is indeed gracious and faithful. Congrats on your new journey. Hope you and Dennis will both have all the happiness and success you deserve.
Thanks Sherry. I will be looking for your future publications and wish you all the best with them! Maybe I will see you at my book launch on the 8th to say goodbye.
Congratulations to you and Dennis! So happy your path is unfolding in such a wonderful way. Many blessings to you on your move to Colorado… May your adventure ahead be filled with happiness, good health, and peace of mind and heart. Always know that we are cheering you on across the miles!
Thank you Angi. :)) Come and visit! Colorado isn’t near as far as California. 🙂
Wishing you well as you embark on this new chapter in your lives. I hope Dennis enjoys his new job and that you enjoy your new teaching position.
Wow, Kathryn, this is great! I like that you and Dennis are arriving at long last at your intended destination. Life is wacky!
Life is wacky! I hope to see you at a writer’s conference somewhere in 2014 to get a signed copy of KILMOON. (:
You will be so missed!! Such a sweet story and sure to be sweet new beginning. I wish you everything wonderful and am grateful for your generous friendship. Huge happy bittersweet hugs to you!
I will miss you Lori! But we will definitely stay connected. :))
Best Wishes to you and Dennis, Kathryn,
Ft. Collins sounds like a perfect fit for both of you! It’s so great when everything works out just the way you want it to!
Hugs,
Ginger (& Dan)
Thank you Ginger! I look forward to seeing you on my return visits.
Congratulations on all things wonderful happening in your life!!! God is definately good!!! May God continue to lead you and your husband on this new journey filled with many blessed adventures and many new memories…and of course a great coffee house, or two or three 🙂
Thank you Araceli! I am so glad we can keep in touch via FB. 🙂
Congratulations to both of you! I’m jealous of your new place. I love Colorado. At one time or another 4 brothers and a sister living in and around Denver. I’m sure they’ll have great coffee in Fort Collins. Please give Dennis our best!
We’ll miss you at our dinners.
Steve & Deanna
Thanks Steve! We have some wonderful memories of our time with the gourmet group. If you ever get to Denver to see family, be sure to give us a call and we can meet for coffee somewhere in the city. (;
Wow! What a blessed way to start 2014. Our God is faithful and I pray that He will help you find a wonderful church like Bayside over there! I will miss you and I will be forever grateful for helping me edit my book. You are a gem, Kathryn and I’m glad we’ll stay connected through Facebook 🙂 Blessings!!!